Isaiah 49:7

Much of what appears here will appear again in the 4^th Servant Song (see Isaiah 52:13-53).

• There is a double meaning of ‘Servant’ in this verse. The name refers to the experience of the nation called Israel. But it also refers to the experience of *Messiah. (See my note at the beginning of this chapter).

• When Israel failed to carry out the *Lord’s purpose, *Messiah did so instead of Israel.

God will lead his people home

v8 The *Lord says, ‘My Servant, I intend to answer your cries for help. I have decided the time when I will help you. I will come to rescue you. I have also chosen you to take my promise of hope to other nations. You will again build your own country that enemies have ruined. Then people will return to possess the land. v9 You will tell prisoners that they are free. Those in darkness can come into the light. God’s people will be like sheep that find grass to eat. Those sheep find grass that is ready for them by the road. And even a bare hill will provide what God’s people need to eat. v10 They will not be hungry. They will not be without water to drink. Nor will the fierce sun hurt them with its heat. I who pity them will guide them to springs (fountains) of fresh water. v11 I will make a road for them over my hills. And I will prepare all the way for my people to travel. v12 See, they are coming from a great distance! Some from the north. Some from the west. Some from the country called Syene.’

v13 Shout for joy, you heavens! Cheer loudly, you earth! Sing a happy song of success, you mountains! Because the *Lord is comforting his people, because troubles have upset them.